We were lucky to catch up with Benna Hunter recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Benna, thanks for joining us today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.
I was 12 years into my career, and had no plans of seeking self-employment. I was comfortable working for someone else and not having the fear of overhead. Then in December 2020, the week before Christmas, my boss told me that we were not reopening after the holiday. I had appointments on my books for the new year. In a panic I called a friend with a spa and asked if I could rent her spare room for a month to get myself together. I’ve been there ever since; and that was 3 years ago.
It took very little startup in the beginning to furnish my treatment room and acquire the essentials, and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to pull off. I got my D/B/A Bodywork by Benna and I haven’t looked back from self-employment!
My advice is, “Go for it”! I never thought it was possible, or that I’d have the clientele to make ends meet… but somehow it always works out. It’s better than I’d ever imagined it would be and making my own schedule can’t be beat!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I always struggled with deciding what I wanted to do after college. I enjoyed studying art and science. I received my Bach of Science from the University of Southern Indiana, but had no clear direction afterward. Shortly after college I moved to FL where I was in a minor car accident. I was receiving a massage at my chiropractors office, and as she was working tender areas and trigger points I was fascinated by the relief I got. A couple weeks later I enrolled in a local school and the following year I began working for my chiropractor doing massage. After 4 years there, I switched to a more Eastern medicine approach to therapy and began working for an acupuncturist. I was able to fuse my more western styled education and eastern medicine experience for a more detailed approach to helping my clients. Throughout my years I’ve always been drawn to people’s pain when working with them. I refer to what I do as “draining the pain”. Trigger point therapy and neuromuscular work are my specialties and I love helping people get relief. I currently offer a full service menu with hot stones, sugar scrubs, and express facials, but my joy is helping alleviate those in suffering.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
Word. Of. Mouth! Other than utilizing social media on occasion my main mode of advertising is my client’s word of mouth. I try to make their entire experience, from walking up the front steps of my spa to the actual service- an enjoyable visit. I treat each client as an individual and with special treatment, and hope they pass that experience on to others!
Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?
Looking back on my 15 years of doing this job, I’m happy to say I know I followed the right path. From feeling lost in my early twenties to feeling like I found my calling in my thirties, I have faith that I’m meant to be on this path. Helping others is what I was meant to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bodyworkbybenna.com
- Instagram: @bodyworkbybenna
- Facebook: Benna Hunter, LMT